Thread

I have a funky scenario that I am looking for a solution for…

We have an existing EE site. We are needing to do a redesign of the templates while keeping the existing content. Generally what I would do is use MSM and develop on a testing subdomain. In this case that won’t be possible. This is a large corporate client and there is some internal issues with who has actual ownership and permissions for the DNS. So, I am trying to find a workaround since it may take too much time to get the subdomain setup. We do have MSM installed for this site. What are my options?

Can I setup a MSM site whose root is a subdirectory rather than a subdomain (ex: http://www.domain.com/test-directory/)?

Hi James,

Instead of setting things up as an MSM site, a better course of action would be to simply copy the existing sites files and database to create a completely separate, working duplicate (either at another domain, a subdomain, or even a subfolder like you noted). Then redesign the site and transfer that new design back to the live site when you’re ready to launch.

Is there a reason why you wouldn’t recommend using MSM instead? Will it not work in a sub directory?

There can be some issues with EE maintaining the correct session between two MSM sites that both use the same domain name. You could try it, of course, but I would recommend giving the secondary site a cookie prefix to make sure there aren’t any cookie conflicts. (I’d do the same for a separate installation in a sub-directory, for that matter.)

The reason I would recommend a separate installation altogether is because it more accurately reflects a copy of the site you’re redesigning and it’s completely separate, so you won’t run into anything from the site under-development bleeding into or being affected by the main site. Creating an MSM site, on the other hand, doesn’t provide those benefits.

It’s not a hard-and-fast rule, of course. Just my suggestion. If you’re comfortable with duplicating an MSM site and going that route instead, feel free to stick with what you know.

Hope that helps!